Cops invite citizens to claim damages for losses suffered during clashes

KOLKATA: Two assistant commissioners of police — on whom powers have been delegated by the state government — on Friday issued public notices asking people, who suffered losses in two cases of rioting, to depose before it with proof of eligibility to claim compensation.
These cases relate to BJP’s Nabanna Abhijan in September last year and the Tiljala violence over rape-murder of a minor earlier this year.
Earlier in February, Bengal had amended the 51-year-old West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order Act 1972, so that people can get compensation for damage due to public rioting and vandalism. The amended rules now allow a faster compensation adjudication irrespective of the criminal trial. The West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was passed in the Assembly enabling the state to attach the property of the accused involved in damaging government or any private property, looting or setting them on fire, so that compensation can be given to victims by auctioning the attached properties.
“The process has been initiated for the first time in the city. It involves an elaborate process of advertising for the public (as done on Friday). Once the ACPs get the applications and supporting proof, they will investigate to establish its genuineness and even carry a valuation of the property lost. The ACPs will then submit a report to the state. The state will check if a charge sheet has been filed against the accused. Since it is a civil court dispute, it has no connection with criminal trials. The state will then ask the accused to compensate for the losses. If they fail to compensate, the state will move court and confiscate property. The court will be informed and a hearing given on why the property will not be attached. Once the court upholds the property attachment, it will legally be confiscated,” said a Lalbazar officer.
Sources said victims of the twin Burrabazar vandalism cases (FIRs 197/22 and 198/22) can come to ACP’s office near the DCP Central office at New Market between 2 pm and 5 pm between May 16 and May 20 to claim the compensation for losses suffered during the Nabanna Abhijan. Those who suffered loses in the Tiljala case (FIR no 73/23) can meet the ACP at Syed Amir Ali Avenue, near the office of DCP (SED) between May 16 to May 24 between 2 pm and 5 pm.
Sources said that even the cops’ transport wing will submit evidences in this regard to get compensated after two of its vehicles were set on fire in both these incidents.